Deadline day is always a wild ride for football fans and Manchester United supporters have enjoyed some entertainment over the past few years.
Since the January transfer window came into being back in 2003, the Red Devils have signed four players at the eleventh hour in a bid to boost their seasons. Erik ten Hag is holding out hope that he make it five this year by pulling off a late deal, having already completed two signings earlier in the window and hinting at more additions.
While former England international goalkeeper Jack Butland arrived from Crystal Palace to spend five months as David de Gea 's deputy in goal, Dutch striker Wout Weghorst was parachuted in to remedy United's striking woes. After the club stumped up £2.6million in a compensation deal with Besiktas, Ten Hag got his hands on the 33-year-old Weghorst until the end of the season.
Starting his first four matches since arriving from parent club Burnley, the Netherlands international bagged his first goal in the Carabao Cup semi-final win against Nottingham Forest. Firing the Red Devils to a 3-0 victory at the City Ground, Weghorst looks the part, although his manager still wants more.
Ten Hag is said to remain keen on securing another forward to bolster his attack, after the Dutchman hinted earlier this month: "With Wout, we have an extra player. In the balance of the squad, it's what we need. I am happy with that, so if there are more opportunities we will be ready for that and looking for that, but it has to be once again the right player.
"With the numbers here, I think with the signing of Wout and development of some players here - Alejandro Garnacho is the best example but also Kobbie Mainoo and Facundo Pellestri - I think also we have some good young players that can also fight for their minutes. They have to deserve it in training and when they are ready to compete, then we are not hesitating to play them."
The United manager will be pleased to know that his club have dipped into the market at the last minute before.
Frederic Veseli (2012) made the bold move from bitter rivals Manchester City but failed to make a first-team appearance for the Red Devils, just like at the Etihad Stadium. Then 19, the Swiss centre-back had helped his nation win the under-17 World Cup in 2009 but failed to make good on his reputation while at United.
Spending time on loan with Ipswich Town, Port Vale and Bury, Veseli is now with Italian second-tier side Benevento, working under legendary Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro.
Andy Kellett (2015) was perhaps the Red Devils' most bizarre January deadline day move, as the promising and versatile 21-year-old came in from Bolton Wanderers. Due to spend the remainder of the 2014-15 season on loan at then League Two side Plymouth Argyle, Kellett was brought to Old Trafford to bolster United's under-21 team and he helped them win the Premier League 2 title.
Kellett was evidently never part of Louis van Gaal 's plans but has still managed a commendable career, currently playing for non-league Guiseley after turning out for Wigan Athletic, Chesterfield, Notts County and Fylde.
Nathan Bishop (2020) is the only player on this list to still be contracted to Old Trafford, having made the move from ex- League One mainstays Southend United. After playing 39 times for the Shrimpers and earning one England under-20 cap, the young goalkeeper headed to Manchester for an undisclosed fee.
Having made 53 appearances on loan with Mansfield Town last season, Bishop - who's out of contract at the end of this season - is now back with the Red Devils, training with De Gea and Butland in the hope that he'll soon get a chance to impress in the first-team.
Have your say! Who should Man Utd sign this January transfer deadline day? Let us know in the comments section.
Odion Ighalo (2020) followed Bishop through the Old Trafford doors to - just like Weghorst - add another dimension to United's waining attack, this time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Becoming the first Nigerian to play for the club, the burly striker bagged five goals in the second half of the 2019-20 campaign, helping Solskjaer and co reach the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and Europa League.
A cult hero thanks to his infectious enthusiasm and being a lifelong fan, Ighalo is fondly remembered by the Old Trafford faithful and now plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, and will soon be facing off against Cristiano Ronaldo.
